The following devices have proved to be very helpful and popular among people with a hearing loss. You might find them helpful too.

Further information is available from Gordon Love who has taken over from Victor Evans as technical resources officer of Better Hearing Australia, Sydney. He can be contacted at the Sydney Centre number.

T400 Volume Control Telephone

This is a modern touchfone with a volume control and ringing control. People with hearing impairment can have their old phone replaced by one of these for no extra charge. You need to get an application from Telstra and have it signed by your doctor.

Portable Telephone Amplifier

The amplifier fits over the earpiece of a telephone handset and is held in place by a rubber strap. It amplifies the incoming voice and can be used with or without a hearing aid. (Contact Telpet or AT&T AMP)

Telstra Visual Alarm

The alarm is connected to the telephone and uses a power point and a lamp. When the phone rings, the light flashes. (Available from Telstra)

Loop Receiver

The “Viennatone” brand receiver comprises earpieces, which fit into each ear of listeners without hearing aids. They can then pick up sound coming from an induction loop, as people with hearing aids can do by using their “T” switches.

Induction Aids: Neck Loop, Antimacassar and Shoulder Pad & Cushion

Each of these devices plugs into a TV set that has a suitable socket. Some TV sets have a socket which, when used, cuts out the sound from the speakers. In other cases, the TV speakers can still be heard.

Some TVs have no such socket, but an experienced technician may be able to fit one to the set. The sound is picked up by using the “T” switch on a hearing aid.

Aids come in a variety of forms – a loop which is worn around the neck, an antimacassar which fits over the back of a chair, a pad that rests on the shoulder, or a cushion behind the head.

Please note – you can find more information on induction aids in the Better Hearing Australia, Sydney brochure Audio Loops, which is part of the Hearing Loss Management Information Series. Ask about the other titles in the series.

Minicon TV Listener

With this aid, a microphone is taped to the TV speaker. An amplifier is plugged into a power point and sits on top of the TV set. An induction loop is placed around the room, and viewers use the “T” switches on their hearing aids to get a clear sound.